QB Block-of-the-Month, April 2013 - Double Aster
 

Yea! It's April Fools Day so you must decide "IS IT OR IS IT NOT" the correct post for April! Now you all know me by now....so here we go.

The Block for April 2013 is Double Aster located at the link below!

http://www.quilterscache.com/D/DoubleAsterBlock.html

Now don't panic, it's not a hard block at all. Just follow the direction photos exactly and you will not have a problem. Below are my cutting chart because I do not care for the way Marsha cuts her blocks. When I follow that mine never come out with the right measurements. Could be just a mental block on my part but I'd rather cut each size myself.

CUTTING CHART: It was easy to put together just 1 "Y" seam at the 2nd to last seam I used the colors listed in the block.

Color #1 (Purple) 2- 5 1/8" square...cut in half for 4 HST

Color 2 (Orange) 2- 3 7/8" square..cut in half for 4 HST

Color 3 (Aqua) 2 - 2 3/8" square cut in half...4 Sm HST;
2 - 3" square ... cut half 4 Med HST
1 2 5/8" square

Color 4 (Black) 2 - 2 3/8" square cut half...4 Sm HST
6 - 3" square cut in half 12 Med HST
2 - 5 3/8" square cut half 4 Lg HST


That's all folks! Happy April Fool's Day!

Hugs,
Cajun

Perfect, will get to sewing! Thanks for the pattern cajunbear

Love this block, it was one I was going to try soon. I also agree, I have to move my needle to make a scant 1/4 to get close to a 12 1/2" block when I do Marcia's blocks.

WOW!! :D What a great block for April 2013 BOM block choice. This pattern will fit in perfectly with my color scheme that I have been working with. What fun this will be to make. Thank you Cajun for a great pick of block's!!
:D :D :D :D

Glad you like it everyone! That blue just seemed to work! Can't wait to see everyone's and now for May! lol

Hugs,
Cajun

What a cool pattern! Your block looks great Cajun!

Great block Cajun can't wait to get started. :thumbup:

love this block
 

http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...890-405816.JPG Got it done tonight, love it!

Jaba...........All of your blocks look so wonderful put together like you are showing them. Your color scheme is so pretty. You did a great job on your April 2013 BOM block & it couldn't go nicer with the other's. What a pretty quilt you are going to have!! :D :D :D :D

My favorite colors Sulabug. Think the quilt will be awesome but I want it done faster:thumbup: I really liked the April block, bet a whole quilt done in that pattern would be pretty nice too.

Jaba, great job..love your colors also. This is going to be an eye-catching quilt.

Hugs,
Cajun

Love your block great job

Cajun I cut my pieces the size you indicated but could not get the middle to fit. I tried a few times. So I sewed the outside together (as if the middle was in there, aligned on the outer edges) and find my middle square would need to be 2.5" to fit. Also, my finished block would only be 11 1/4". Was I supposed to figure out the larger HST squares before I cut them?

btw I only use the 1/4" specialty foot, I never attempt to do a "scant" measure, if that matters.

ok, now that I've done one .... love the block, but mine surely didn't come out square! Have a question for the group ... how did you press the seams on this one? I was doing ok until the seams around the square ....

I have not finished sewing mine yet but the Quilterscache instructions do tell you to sew with a scant 1/4 inch. Are you able to move the needle on your machine to achieve the scant 1/4"? On my machine, an Elna 7300, I use the 1/4" foot with the fence and able to move the needle to the right to get the correct measurement.

You need to go back to Color 3 and if it's the center block you are referring to...you need 1 2 5/8" sq.... when you take 1/4" seam around it that leaves you with 2 1/8" center block. Is this what you are referring to as the center block?

Did anyone else have problems, all mine fit together and in the original directions it tells you one 2 58" sq!

Hope this helps.

Hugs,
Cajun

Mine fit together perfectly. Maybe double check and make sure you're measurements were correct. Not saying they are wrong but I have been known to cut something 2 3/8 instead of 2 5/8, big difference.

I still don't get the scant 1/4" measurement. I also usually end up using just my 1/4" foot. Soooo how about they invent a scant quarter inch foot attachment... LOL :p

I double and triple checked and the center square is cut 2 5/8" and I followed the directions and worked my way around but it just doesn't fit in the middle, it bunches up, and doesn't line up after that last turn, so I'm guessing it is because I am not using a "scant" measure. I never have, I think it's weird it was ever started by whomever. I mean, define "scant" :confused:. The first three BOTM came out the right size and I used my 1/4" foot.

I can move my needle to the right, so scant means skinnier than a normal 1/4' seam? How will I ever know if I have it scant enough unless I sew the block over until it turns out? This is a complicated pattern to practice with.

Could I just make my squares 1/4" bigger before I cut them into HSTs?

There's always a bright side ... I'm going to pick a different color combination this time because the colors I chose blended together too much.

There is another BOM thread that I did this block in and I had problems with the measurements and instructions. So I made a paper piece pattern for doing the block if any one wants a copy I can send them a pdf. There are two sections that are repeated four times the only thing I cut plain was the center block and the corner triangles. I will post a picture on the other picture thread.

Hey I am a strong supporter of "whatever works!" So you do what you need to do to make it work out?

Scant 1/4 is when you set your seam to 1/4 and then make it one needle position skinner. I don't know why anyone would do this unless the cut to close and have to do that. I also hate scant...I mean do,you want 1/4"
seams ore NOT? Lol

Hugs,
Betty

I don't want scant. I have never used it on any quilt. I just want this block to turn out the right size and mine is too small. I haven't done it completely over yet, I'm just looking for advice. I did double check my measurements.

Weird thing, I got the paper piece template (thank you DedeMac) and held my sewn block up to it and my sections are exactly the same size. I guess I'll make one with the template and hope for the best. I wonder if I could lose a whole half inch by the way I pressed? The one I did is 11 1/2" and the center doesn't fit.

Wish me luck, getting ready to sew in the center. I made the four pieced sections. I did the "sew three 2" squares together then measure center block to see if it is 1 1/2" test and my 1/4th foot does sew scant 1/4" measuring by the seam before pressing. After pressing the inside square was perfect 1.5" I have a Janome and did not have to move the needle.

I guess that's why my previous quilts have turned out ok. Now if I can just figure out this block!

The center fits this time, but my block is 11" square. My others are 12" after trimming.

I meant my other 3 BOTM's are 12.5" square. So I am adding a background color frame around this.

I don't think pressing or the direction pressed could make that big of a difference. So I can't figure it out.

I don't understand why everyone's blocks keep coming out different sizes. All my other blocks came out 12". Not this one is 12 1/2". From 11" to 12 1/2" is a big difference.

Mine have all been 12.5". I had this one turned wrong and added the corners wrong so it ended up small. Two of us (that I've seen) did this. I am doing the initial one over. It is 13" as laid out so I'm guessing it will be 12.5" when I'm done sewing it.

You girls are making me nervous. I've always had to do a scant 1/4 with patterns from Quilter Cache. They usually say it makes a 12" square. But it doesn't say a 12" finished square. When I make blocks, I like a 12 1/2" square that finishes to 12". I'm hoping to do mine tomorrow, so I guess I'll work really slow. I've wanted to make this block for a while now, so was glad to see it was this months block. Also, when I do Quilter Cache I use a certain machine. I have two machines I use, but one doesn't move the needle, so I use the other, I just have to remember to set the needle where its supposed to go. Once set...I'm all set.

Hello Everyone, I hope you are all getting caught up on your BOM blocks & are looking forward to May's block to be posted tomorrow. I know that I can hardly wait. Please keep us all posted on how you are doing!!
:D :D :D :D

And who will be choosing our May lock! Can't wait...maybe that will get to,the sewing machine! Lol

Hugs,
Betty

Betty........I don't know who has picked this block for May, but we will all soon know for sure!!
:D :D :D :D

Anyone have the AQS 2013 calendar? I just flipped from April to May (ok, a few days late!) and the quilt for May has one of our double asters at its center!